Patients who sought treatment from government hospitals were greatly inconvenienced due to the strike launched by the members of the GMOA from 8 this morning to 12 noon.

But the Health Ministry announced this afternoon that many hospitals functioned as usual.

The GMOA launched the strike in protest against the list of appointments for the post-intern medical practitioners.

GMOA charged that Minister Rajitha Senarathna has influenced the preparation of the relevant list.

However, the strike was not staged in disaster stricken areas including Colombo, Gampaha and Kegalle districts.

Addressing a media conference following the token strike today, GMOA’s secretary Dr. Nalin de Hearth said that his Association will stage an island wide strike next week.

However, GMOA’s Secretary Dr. Nalin de Herath said that his Association has complained to the President concerning the actions of the Health Minister.

Meanwhile, the Joint Committee of the Health Services Unions convened a media conference to express their objection to the GMOA strike.

Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva addressing a conference held in Colombo today noted that the issue should be settled through discussions.

Releasing a communiqué, Government United Nursing Services Union noted that Health Minister Rajitha Senarathna should be held responsible for this crisis.

Meanwhile, our correspondents stated that patients who sought treatment from government hospitals including Anuradhapura, Kandy, Karapitiya, and Matara were greatly inconvenienced due to the GMOA strike this morning.